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Me Bf 109E Variants |
Me Bf 109 E-4/B
E-4/B (Fighter-bomber version of E-4, 1 × 250 kg/550 lb bomb, usually with DB 601Aa)
Consideration of employing the Bf 109 as a Jagdbomber (fighter-bomber) was based on the needs developed during fighting against the French. The concept was to attach a single bomb under the center fuselage and provide the pilot with an electrical release switch. To test the theory, an evaluation unit, Erprobungsgruppe 210, was formed and a number of Bf 109E-1s and Bf 110Cs were assigned as test aircraft.
With only very minimal training in dive-bombing techniques, the unit began their operational testing against British shipping in the English Channel. The results of the limited endeavor proved so successful that all Luftwaffe Jagdgeschwader were ordered to form one Staffel for Jabo operations. Normally consisting of nine Staffeln, this usually meant the addition of a tenth unit. To equip these new units, Bf 109E-1s, which were being replaced by the later model Bf 109E-3s and E-4s, were retrofitted with an ETC 50 rack for the carrying of a 50 kg (110-lb.) SC 50 bomb and assigned the designation Bf 109E-1/B. In addition, several Bf 109-E4s still on the assembly lines were converted to Bf 109E-4/Bs through the incorporation of a central ETC 250 rack which was capable of handling a single 250 kg (550-lb.) bomb or four SC 50 bombs.
Consideration of employing the Bf 109 as a Jagdbomber (fighter-bomber) was based on the needs developed during fighting against the French. The concept was to attach a single bomb under the center fuselage and provide the pilot with an electrical release switch. To test the theory, an evaluation unit, Erprobungsgruppe 210, was formed and a number of Bf 109E-1s and Bf 110Cs were assigned as test aircraft.
With only very minimal training in dive-bombing techniques, the unit began their operational testing against British shipping in the English Channel. The results of the limited endeavor proved so successful that all Luftwaffe Jagdgeschwader were ordered to form one Staffel for Jabo operations. Normally consisting of nine Staffeln, this usually meant the addition of a tenth unit. To equip these new units, Bf 109E-1s, which were being replaced by the later model Bf 109E-3s and E-4s, were retrofitted with an ETC 50 rack for the carrying of a 50 kg (110-lb.) SC 50 bomb and assigned the designation Bf 109E-1/B. In addition, several Bf 109-E4s still on the assembly lines were converted to Bf 109E-4/Bs through the incorporation of a central ETC 250 rack which was capable of handling a single 250 kg (550-lb.) bomb or four SC 50 bombs.